AD 2208, 3/14, Unknown Area – Noel's Church of Sister Mercury

Despite this all being her idea, Noel Vermillion can't help but fidget beneath her white lace and cotton garments, cheeks burning as she nibbles on a spare piece of chocolate from the batch she's made for this occasion. She checks under her pillow to assure herself that the ring is still there, still waiting for the right moment, and sighs.

Tsubaki Yayoi, her girlfriend of almost a decade, should be here any moment, following the notes Noel left in the living room.

Noel bites at her lower lip as the sound of footsteps draws closer from down the hall, anxiously waiting for the door to creak open…

As if on cue, the door does indeed crack open to reveal the confused face of Tsubaki, who's sapphire eyes widen in shock at the sight laid out before her.

Noel's jade eyes sparkle with hope and anxious excitement as she holds out the trays of homemade chocolates, many of them shaped in a somewhat comical attempt at Tsubaki's likeness. "H-Hello, Tsubaki! I-I made some chocolates for your birthday!" She flushes deeply. "Would you like them now or w…" He flush deepens even further, trailing to her chest as she hesitates. Eventually, she manages to softly continue, "W-W-Would you like to unwrap me first, in-instead?"

Tsubaki's quite flushed herself, frozen in the doorway at the sight of her beloved girlfriend, wrapped in racy white lingerie, holding out chocolates that one traditionally gives on White Day, which just so happens to overlap with her own birthday.

The two women stare at each other, faces and burning and eyes fixated on one another's, before Tsubaki carefully closes the door behind her.

Noel nervously glances away, lowering the tray. "S-Sorry this is so sudden… It's just that… I finally managed to make chocolates right, and I wanted you to—!"

Tsubaki gently cups Noel's cheek, having come to her bedside. "Noel… you did all this… for me?"

Noel feels helpless but to meet her girlfriend's gaze head-on, heart fluttering madly in her ribcage like a captured kaleidoscope of butterflies. "Y-Yeah…" She musters her courage to make her gaze firmer, more confident as she raises the tray again. "I wanted to really nail your birthday this year!" She smiles as widely as she can, eyes sparkling. "I-I hope you don't mind…"

Tsubaki can't help but to smile softly, eyes half-lidded as she murmurs, "I appreciate it, Noel."

Noel beams up at Tsubaki, heart fluttering even harder still. "T-Then please, let me know what you want to try first!"

Tsubaki glances at the tray cautiously. "You said you… got them right, this time?"

Noel nods eagerly. "Y-Yeah! Even Rachel liked the test batch I made just yesterday!"

Tsubaki nervously picks up a chocolate. "Well, if Miss Rachel likes them…" She closes her eyes, and takes a nibble.

Noel waits fretfully, unconsciously holding her breath.

Tsubaki's eyes burst open in surprise, staring at Noel in awe. "T-They're really good!" She pauses to smile bashfully. "Ah, sorry about that, it's not that I doubted you, but— Mmph!"

Noel, unable to contain her excitement, drops the tray onto her knees to pull her girlfriend into an enthusiastic kiss.

The pair soon trade tongues like swords, exploring one another's mouths rather heatedly.

After a few moments, the pair break apart with a wet gasp, saliva linking their lips as Noel smiles at Tsubaki with sparkling eyes. "Thank you so much… Tsubaki."

A laugh bubbles from Tsubaki's lips, her own eyes shining. "I should be the one thanking you, Noel. You did all this, put in so much effort, just for my birthday." She brushes blonde locks out of jade eyes. "I really am lucky, to have someone like you by my side."

Noel flushes a crimson shade of red, giggling nervously. "Haha… That's…" She scratches her cheek. "You do so much for me, Tsubaki…" She glances out of the corner of her eyes timidly. "This felt like the least I could do, really…"

Tsubaki slowly sets the tray aside on the bedside table, removing her service beret to allow her flowing red locks to fall around her face freely.

Noel squeaks as Tsubaki gently lifts her to set her down on the bed properly before lying beside her.

Tsubaki whispers, "Don't put yourself down like that Noel…" She smiles brightly. "After all…" She brushes Noel's lips, huskily murmuring against them. "You're the best present I could want."

Noel's eyes widen as Tsubaki presses a gentle kiss to her nose, smiling at her with utter confidence in her declaration.

Noel nervously smiles back, reaching under the pillow. "In that case…" She pulls out the bare rings, holding them out to Tsubaki with a shaking hand as she steels herself. "Marry me…?"

Tsubaki's grin widens to the fullest that Noel's ever seen it, tears of joy beading in her eyes. "Noel Vermillion …" She laughs softly. "I'd love to marry you."

Noel feels tears of her own stream down her cheeks, her cheeks burning brighter than the sun. "T-Tsubaki…" She pulls her girlfriend into a loving embrace, sobbing into her shoulder happily. "T-Thank you so much! I'm… I'm so happy!"

Tsubaki laughs and cries along with her lady love, nuzzling their cheeks together. "I'm the one who should be thanking you, Noel!" She pulls back to kiss Noel. "You've made this the best birthday of my life!"

Noel pries her eyes open long enough to reverently slip her proposal ring onto Tsubaki's finger, giving her own hand to be adorned in turn.

As the two women clasp their ring-bearing hands together, they exchange another loving kiss.

Tsubaki's eyes glance down in amusement for a moment. "I love the patterns in the lace…" She hums curiously. "Where did you find this?"

Noel flushes. "U-Um…" She looks away bashfully. "M-Miss Litchi helped me design it, and Luna made it…" She glances up through her lashes. "D… Do you like it?"

Tsubaki grins with all her teeth. "I love it." Her voice lowers to a purr. "And I believe you said…" She tugs at the bow. "Something about unwrapping you…?"